Hollywood star Robin Williams dies aged 63

Robin Williams, the much-loved Hollywood comedian and actor, has been found dead at his home in California in an apparent suicide.

The 63-year-old Good Will Hunting star was found unresponsive by paramedics in his house in in Tiburon, north of San Francisco, at around 11:55am local time on Monday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death is believed to be suicide by asphyxiation, according to the local coroner’s office.

Mara Buxbaum, his spokesman, released a statement saying he had been struggling with depression in the last few months.

“Rob passed away this morning. He has been battling severe depression of late. This is a tragic and sudden loss. The family respectfully asks for their privacy as they grieve during this very difficult time.”

Dubbed “the funniest man alive” by Entertainment Weekly in 1997, Williams rose to fame while playing Mork the alien in the TV show Mork & Mindy, a Happy Days spinoff.

Williams was perhaps best known, however, for his starring roles in classics such as Mrs Doubtfire and Good Will Hunting. He would go on to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Dr Sean Maguire in Good Will Hunting.